Mysteries are one of the most popular genres for books, television shows, and feature films.
In honor of Mystery Month in This Awful Awesome Life, we’re mixing classic mysteries with some of your favorite contemporary amateur sleuths, private investigators, and police detectives.
It’s a recipe for adventure! Enjoy!
Classic Mysteries:
“The Murders in the Rue Morgue” by Edgar Allen Poe. This short story by Poe was published in 1841 and is considered the first detective story. C. Auguste Dupin is a fictional character created by Edgar Allan Poe. Dupin made his first appearance in Poe's "The Murders in the Rue Morgue." He reappears in "The Mystery of Marie Rogêt" in 1842 and “The Purloined Letter" in 1844. However, Dupin is an amateur sleuth and not a professional detective because that term had not yet been created. Read these three short stories and compare them to a modern detective novel.
The Woman in White (1860) and The Moonstone (1868) by Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White is considered one of the finest mystery novels ever written. A mysterious woman in white who is later identified as a mental patient named Ann from an asylum resembles an heiress named Laura who is about to be married. Who is this woman? How does Laura end up at the asylum while Ann’s body is buried as Laura? The Moonstone is considered one of the first detective novels ever written. In The Moonstone, Collins utilizes the talents of two investigators, Franklin Blake, a gifted amateur sleuth and gentleman detective and Sergeant Cuff, the celebrated London policeman called in from Scotland Yard to act as a professional investigator. Collins established many of the ground rules of the modern detective novel. Though it was written after Poe’s detective stories, many consider Collins the creator of detective fiction because The Moonstone is a full-length novel and has a professional detective as the main character. Read and decide for yourself.
The Complete Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes’ character debuted in 1887 in “A Study in Scarlet.” Additional tales appeared until 1927. Conan Doyle wrote four novels and 56 short stories about Sherlock Holmes. I recommend you read them in order. If you’ve watched the movies and television shows you really need to read the original stories to appreciate Holmes and Watson.
Agatha Christie Novels – In all, Christie wrote 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, many of which included one of her fictional detectives, Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple. Miss Marple is a nosy spinster with a knack for uncovering a mystery and the elegant Inspector Hercule Poirot is a police detective from Belgium forced to relocate to England after the German invasion of his country during the First World War. According to The Guinness Book of World Records, Christie is one of the most widely read authors in the world. Start with The Mysterious Affair at Styles or Murder on the Orient Express to get acquainted with Poirot then skip over to Miss Marple’s village, St. Mary Mead and enjoy The Murder at the Vicarage which marks Miss Marple’s first appearance in a full-length novel. Marple is gossipy and not very nice in her debut, but Christie refines Marple’s character to make her more likable in later works such as A Murder is Announced or A Caribbean Mystery.
Police procedurals:
DS Max Craigie Scottish Crime Thrillers by Neil Lancaster – This new series appeared in 2021 and so far, there are three books about DS Max Craigie and his associates who solve crimes in the Scottish Highlands. Lancaster was an MP with the Raf before spending 25 years primarily as a detective for the Metropolitan Police investigating some of the most serious criminals across the UK and beyond. He brings his vast knowledge of police procedure and criminal behavior to his work to create compelling characters and page-turning mysteries.
Chief Investigator Armand Gamache Novels by Louise Penny – Gamache is a chief inspector for the Sûreté du Québec, the provincial police force for Quebec. The first book in the series, Still Life was released in 2006. Books in the series have won numerous awards and appeared on New York Times Bestseller lists.
P.T. Marsh Novels by John McMahon – Detective Marsh was a rising star in the Mason Falls, Georgia police department until his wife and son were killed in an accident. Since the accident, he’s become obsessed with protecting the underdog and finding justice at any price. His methods are often at odds with acceptable police procedure, and he struggles to find that balance again.
Rizzoli and Isles Mysteries by Tess Gerritsen - Detective Jane Rizzoli teams up with coroner Maura Isles to solve crimes. This mystery series is also considered a medical thriller series.
Leaphorn and Chee Novels by Tony Hillerman - Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Officer Jim Chee solve crimes and help maintain order on the reservation while balancing Navajo traditions with modern police procedures.
Walt Longmire Mysteries by Craig Johnson - Walt Longmire is the sheriff of Absaroka County in Wyoming. With the help of his lifelong friend Henry Standing Bear and Deputy Victoria Moretti, Longmire protects and serves the people of his county with courage and a dash of humor.
Charlene Taylor Mysteries by Luke Murphy – Taylor is an LAPD homicide detective. He father was a cop and after his death, she struggles with being his legacy and finding her own identity. Along with solving crimes, Charlene drinks too much avoids getting too close, and haphazardly tries to improve her relationships with her mother and sister who resented Charlene’s closeness with her dad.
Amateur sleuth:
The Cat Who… Mystery Series by Lilian Jackson Braun - Jim Qwilleran is a reporter who solves crimes with the help of his Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum. “Qwill” is a sometimes-prickly confirmed bachelor who is also kind and thoughtful. He is active in his new community and his “nose for news” often puts him in the thick of murder and mayhem. Koko and Yum Yum are delightful and it’s a fun series.
Zoe Chambers Mysteries by Annette Dashofy - Zoe is an EMT in rural Vance Township in Western Pennsylvania. She also serves as deputy coroner. She teams up with police chief Pete Adams to solve crimes. Zoe and Pete have definite chemistry and Dashofy has created a colorful cast of supporting characters. As the series continues, Zoe’s personal life and professional life go through changes that keep the series fresh.
Clare Fergusson/Van Alstyne Mystery Series by Julia Spencer-Fleming – Clare is a former Army helicopter pilot and an Episcopal priest. She teams up with police chief Russ Van Alstyne in a small town in Upstate New York to solve crimes. Sparks fly between Clare and Russ professionally and personally in this well-written series.
A Mrs. Murphy Mystery Series by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown – this is a fun series about Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen, a Virginia postmaster, her cat named Mrs. Murphy, and her corgi, Tucker who solve crimes in their community. Brown claims to write each mystery with the aid of her cat Sneaky Pie.
Private Investigators:
Travis McGee Novels by John D. Mac Donald – McGee considers himself more of a beach bum than a detective. He lives on a houseboat and only works when necessary. He’s wary of credit cards, retirement accounts, mortgages, and responsibilities in general. He also fits the hard-boiled detective genre.
Trevor Galloway Mysteries by J.J. Hensley - Trevor Galloway is a cross between a private investigator and a hard-boiled detective. Galloway, a former narcotics detective in Pittsburgh is a recovering addict who suffers from PTSD after being held captive, repeatedly drugged, and tortured by a drug cartel when his cover is blown. Galloway’s sarcastic quick wit entertains readers who will also be charmed by his honesty and vulnerability. As the series progresses, Galloway relocates to Savannah, Georgia for a fresh start, but old habits are hard to break, and old enemies are unforgiving.
Calvin Watters Mysteries by Luke Murphy – Watters was destined for a big NFL contract, but a poor decision during the championship game costs his team the victory. Watters loses his scholarship and his bright future. He ends up an enforcer for a dodgy Las Vegas casino owner. He detests the man he has become. To save himself, Watters must use his intellect and physicality. Calvin discovers his knack for getting at the truth will serve him well as a private investigator.
Hard-boiled detective:
The Spenser Mystery Series by Robert B. Parker: Spenser is a former professional boxer and ex-Boston homicide detective who makes his living as a private investigator. Spenser quotes literature, drinks fine wine, and isn’t afraid to mix it up with the worst criminals in Boston. He is the next evolution of detective. Spenser is in a committed relationship and has loyal friends who are racially and ethnically diverse, from different socio-economic backgrounds, religions, and sexual orientations. Parker manages all this diversity without it looking contrived or being forced into the story. Titles include The Godwulf Manuscript, Promised Land, and Pale Kings and Princes. Parker also penned the popular Jesse Stone series, the Sunny Randall series, and the Cole and Hitch series. Each of these series has continued with his family’s permission after Parker’s sudden death in 2010. The writers continuing each series were friends and trusted associates of Parker.
Phillip Marlowe Mysteries by Raymond Chandler – Marlowe is the hard-boiled detective others emulate. He first appears in 1939 in The Big Sleep. He’s a wisecracker not afraid to take a punch or throw one. Chandler was influenced by Dashiell Hammett’s Sam Spade character when he created Marlowe, but Chandler’s development of the Phillip Marlowe character continues throughout the series.
Sam Spade Mysteries by Dashiell Hammett – Spade makes his debut in 1930 in The Maltese Falcon and appears in four other short stories by Dashiell Hammett. Spade is known for remaining detached from his clients, his keen powers of observation, and his dogged pursuit of justice.
Kinsey Milhone Mysteries by Sue Grafton – Kinsey Milhone appeared in 1982 in A is for Alibi, the first of what was supposed to be 26 books starting with a different letter of the alphabet (A-Z). Milhone is a divorced former police officer living in the detached garage apartment of her friend, Henry, an elderly retired baker. After leaving the police force in Santa Teresa, California, she worked as an insurance investigator before becoming a private detective. Milhone likes the simplicity of living alone and owns few possessions. She has an unconventional lifestyle and a real talent for solving crimes. Y is for Yesterday was released shortly before her death. The final book in the series was not completed and in accordance with her wishes, the series will end at Y.
V.I. Warshawski Mysteries by Sara Paretsky – Warshawski, a former public defender, is a private investigator in Chicago specializing in white-collar crimes. She’s the daughter of an Italian immigrant and a Polish American police officer. To keep her bills and be able to help people who can’t afford her services, she takes on routine jobs for wealthy clients. Warshawski is hot-tempered, sarcastic, and idealistic. She doesn’t shy away from physical altercations.